Blue Jays: 2016 Edition

[Perry Mason]

OK, Spring Training opens in about 6 weeks... time to start this yearly thread.

The only new and positive development I can think of since Shap-eye-ro came aboard is the hiring of sports psychologist Angus Mugford and the emphasis on the mental aspects of the game... something they have been lacking on and I have been carping about on these threads for years -- much to the chagrin of some people here!

During their years of success in the '80's and early '90's the BJ"s had a counseling psychologist on staff part time (someone that I know) and I think it was a great help to them. Traditionally this is something that is part of the coaching staff's job, but Gibby is totally out of his element on this aspect of the game.

I think it could have helped the likes of Ricky Romero and several others and, hopefully, will help turn Hutchison's career around. Maybe Loup, Delabar and Jenkins can benefit, too...

I hope it really helps because, other than that, I am deeply troubled by Shap-eye-ro's emphasis on the bottom line and seemingly marginal interest on winning.

The BJ's need more good pitching and a good back up for Martin and have some good trading prospects in Saunders/Revere/Carrera, Colabello/Smoak and Travis/Goins with which to do it.

I am not too optimistic about Shap-eye-ro's or Atkins' talent (especially compared to Beeston and AA) to improve the team... as their experience with the Indians shows...

Hold on to you hats, folks... it's going to be a wild ride this year.

Hopefully, I am wrong about my pessimism. :Eek:

Perry

 

[Dawgger]

First Happy New Year Perry!
I missed the hiring of Angus Mugford. good move IMO. Shapiro may need him with all the negative press and fan comments thrown his way to date!
As you point out there are players that he may be able to help assuming they want to be helped!
I agree with you, this year is far from a slam dunk. At the moment, barring injuries offence and defense look real good. Pitching, especially the bullpen, questionable at best!

 

[Perry Mason]

Great article on AA and the BJ's by Cathal Kelly in today's Grope & Fail.

Perry

 

[Dawgger]

Great article on AA and the BJ's by Cathal Kelly in today's Grope & Fail.

Perry

Guess Kelly and Shapiro won't be having wings and beers any time soon!:hand:

 

[Perry Mason]

I like the trade for Storen. He should really strengthen the pen. Aside from the second half of last season when he felt obviously frustrated, his record is that of a very good front line reliever. He is only 28.

So the Saunders/Revere/Carrera trade option has now been exercised. And used to strengthen the pen. All positive.

They could exercise the Colabello/Smoak option before camp opens but they would first have to resolve the Encarnacion situation...

And they still have the Travis/Goins option in their back pocket for later in the season, if needed. Goins deserves to play full time somewhere...

I think they now go to spring training and take a close look at what they already have before embarking on more trades.

Unless, of course, there is a huge trade like one of those that AA made... but I don't think that is Shap-eye-ro's style!

Perry

 

[mandrill]

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/01/09/blue-jays-making-r-a-dickey-available/

With the bullpen shored up, there are now rumours of a Dickie deal to an NL team.

 

[SkyRider]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...n-encarnacion-not-looking-to-trade-r-a-dickey

It would really be nice if this happens. Bautista is a young 34 and should be an elite player for another 4-5 years.:thumb:

 

[Dartman]

Could this mean Sanchez going to be a starter now

 

[shack]

Could this mean Sanchez going to be a starter now

I suspect they'll give it a try in Dunedin.

 

[Dawgger]

My guess is they will start to stretch both Osuna and Sanchez out in Dunedin

 

[bluecolt]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...n-encarnacion-not-looking-to-trade-r-a-dickey

It would really be nice if this happens. Bautista is a young 34 and should be an elite player for another 4-5 years.:thumb:

Jose Bautista was born in October, 1980. He will be 36 at season's end.

 

[silk123]

My guess is they will start to stretch both Osuna and Sanchez out in Dunedin

I can see Sanchez starting but I would like to See Osuna as the closer, the kid performed well under pressure with no previous experience.

 

[teassoc]

I can see Sanchez starting but I would like to See Osuna as the closer, the kid performed well under pressure with no previous experience.

Depends also on how Chavez and Hutchison do in Spring training.

 

[mandrill]

My guess is they will start to stretch both Osuna and Sanchez out in Dunedin

I think they will try and make their minds up in late March, as to who fits best in the rotation and who in the BP. I would like to see them pick up 1 more quality arm for the Pen before the season commences.

 

[Perry Mason]

I think what happens with/to Sanchez and Osuna will depend on what Delabar, Jenkins, Loup, Tepera and Schultz do at Dunedin.

They each have talent. At least 3 of them will make the team... but if 1 or 2 of them show real promise, Sanchez and/or Osuna could start.

Perry

 

[Butler1000]

We need three hot relievers. Kansas made it on that. The Yankees just upgraded on that. That is absolutely the priority.

I'm more than willing to trade a big piece for more pitching at this point. Whether it's a starter or top reliever. Either way we end up with a solid 7-8-9 for fifty to sixty games that get us into the playoffs.

 

[glamphotographer]

This is a silent rebuild. The Jays execs won't say it because they would lose season ticket holders. As much I don't want to believe it, it's a silent rebuild. Jays won't make the playoffs for long while.

 

[jcpro]

We need three hot relievers. Kansas made it on that. The Yankees just upgraded on that. That is absolutely the priority.

I'm more than willing to trade a big piece for more pitching at this point. Whether it's a starter or top reliever. Either way we end up with a solid 7-8-9 for fifty to sixty games that get us into the playoffs.

If they get a quality starter and more power from the left field, they'll have a shot at post season.

 

[shack]

If they get a quality starter and more power from the left field, they'll have a shot at post season.

With Saunders/Pompey they are guaranteed to have more power than Revere. It is whether those two can hit/get on base consistently.

I would settle for .800-.850 OPS

 

[ultistar]

With Cecil and Storen, we should have a pretty good L/R closing duo.